norton



H. B. NORTON.

POtatO-Digger.

No. 70,108, v Patented oct. 22, 1867 AM. PM'JTU-LTH!)Y CU. N.Y. (OSBURNE'S PROCESS.)

@uiten tatre gebaat @Hite H. B, NcRroN, 0F ROCHESTER, New YORK.'

' Leners Patent No. 70,108, time october 22, 1867.l

IMPROVEMENT IN BOTATO-DIGGER.

TO ALL WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:

Beit known 'that I, II. B. NORTol/, of Rochester, in the county of Monroe, and 'State of New York, have invented' a certain new and useful Improvement in Combined Machines for Planting, Cultivating, and Digging Potatoes; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, making part of this specification.

' Figure l is a plan of my improved-machine.

Figure 2, a vertical longitudinal section.

Figure 8, a diagram representing a rear elevation of the machine.

Figure 4,11. vertical section of the seed-hopper in plane of line :c x, fig.1.

Like letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all tbe gures.

This invention relates to an improvementin'the seed-hopper, whereby thc discharge is gauged to drop any given number of potatoes, and in the arrangement of the digging apparatus, whereby the gearing is expedtiously and eifectually disengaged at any time.

As represented in the drawings,V A A are the driving-wheels, B the axle, and C the main frame. In the front of the machine issecured a double mould-board point, D, and behind this two single mould-board points D' D', turning inward. The double point opens the Yway in planting or digging, whilethe single points turn the furrows back again. The stocks a c!V of the single points rest in slots IJ b of the frame, which ,allow adjustment in and out so as to gauge the width of cut. Braces c c', secured to the stocks, extend forward and backward and rest in anyV cfa series of holes, rl d, being secured by nuts. Directly in the rear of the point D a conducting tube, F, extends down from the main frame. Over this tube rests a seed-hopper, G, havinga double-inclined bottoni, to 4direct the seed-potatoes to the dischargefopening c over the spoutf In front of the seed-epeningis a vertical slide, f, and beneath the opening isa horizontal slideh, adjusting forward and backward.

In planting the operator sits upon the machine in front of the hopper and raises the vertical slidef at suoli a height as to feed the potatoes downward,`as desired, but still not so as to allow them to escape outside. At

'the same time h e adjusts the herizontal'slide gbaekward and forward, as occasion requires, to gauge the esc-ape.

of the potatoes down the tube. .By this arrangement it will be seen that the operator can control the throat of the hopper and feed the potatoes by hand exactly as desired. This gauge is exceedingly simple and effective,

and produces that even distribution of the seed that so difficult to accomplish in potatosplanters.

Beneath the frame is suspended, by braces t' 2', a scraper or scoop, 1I, whiclrreceives the potatoes and dirt' as they are thrownup by the point in front. In the rear of this scraper runs'an endless apron, I, for carrying the potatoes back and discharging them in the rear. In front the apron runs around a shaft, c, while in the rear it passes over a driving-shaft, l, resting in hangers m m from the frame. For heavy soils I prefer to malte the apron of close lags, as in iig. 2, but for loose and sandy soils I prefer to use open rounds, as shown in fig. 3. The apron isldriven by a pinion, 2, on the end of shaft Z, gearing with'cog-wheel I on the driving-wheel. The main frame, instead of being secured rigidly to thc axle,las usual, simply rests loosely. thereon, and is retained by curved arms 7L t of the axle extending upthrough boxes in the side pieces of the frame. This arrangement allows the frame to rise when back `pressure is applied. The shaft lis connected by arms n 'a with the axle, beingjointed at both-ends, as shown clearly in' fig. 3, so that the apron can be raised with the frame. On top the axle rests a tread-lever or platform, K, the axle forming the fnlcrum, while a cross-bar, o, of the frame forms the resistance. When the foot of thc driver is pressed on the rear end of this lever or platform, the

leverage over the axle will raise the main frame from the axle. When fully pressed down the rear end of the tread-lever or platform strikes under a bearing, p, of a' lever, L. This lever `has both a foot-rest, g, and a hainlle, 7',fas indicated, and it is provided with a suitable spring toretain its position to catch the platform. When not elevated theframe is held dowrxto the axle by a catch, s, of the latter, which strikes over a lug, t, of the former, as clearly indicated in lig. 3.

The great advantage of the arrangement above described consists in the facility and ease with which the gearing can be disengaged. To accomplish this it is only necessary to back the team `sufficiently todisconneet the parts s t, when, applying the weight of the operator to the tread-lever or platform K, the main frame, and

with it. the apron, is raised, as indicated in red lines, tig. 3, thereby, of course, throwing the cog-wheel and pinion out of gear. At all times when going forward the frame will 4be held down closely to thc axleby the catch arrangement s t. This means of connection and disconnection is very simple and effective, and much more easily accomplished than Where a hand-lever is employed. In front of the machine is a vine-clearer, R, projecting down in such form as to open the vines over the hills and prevent `catching and dragging on the forward points.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters'Patent, is I. The combination and arrangement of' the frame C, resting loosely on the axle, the guide-arms h, the jointed arms n, the endless apron I, and the levers K and Ii, the Whole operating in the manner and for the ,-'purpose herein set forth.

2. The combination of the catch arrangements t with the loose frame C and guide-arms h, operating as and for the purpose specified.

In witness whereof I have hereunto signed my name in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

- H. B. NORTON.

Witnesses:

R. F. Oscoop, J. AfDAvs. 

